Dr. Dhirendra Shukla has been the Dr. J. Herbert Smith ACOA Chair at the University of New Brunswick (Canada), since September 2009. He did his BEng and MSc in Chemical Engineering and Computing and Performance Engineering from the University of Bradford (UK). Dhirendra worked for several years in the Telecom Sector for Nortel Networks (Canada) in various roles and prior to joining Nortel Networks, he worked for Croda International (UK). He obtained his MBA from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa (Canada) and completed his PhD in Entrepreneurial Finance from the University of London in the UK (King’s College London). His current research interests are in Blockchain, Venture Capital, Syndication, Entrepreneurship, and Governance. He Co-Founded Gray Wolf Analytics Inc. which is focused on helping companies prevent crypto fraud and scam.

 Passionate about entrepreneurship, design, engineering, innovation, and leadership, Dhirendra ignites this same passion in others through his teaching at UNB, local entrepreneurial community outreach, and the creation of programs such as the Masters of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship (MTME) program, Technology Commercialization Program, Summer Institute, and Energia Ventures. The programs have resulted in over 250 new startups.

 Recognition of his tireless efforts and vision are demonstrated through UNB’s 2014 award from Startup Canada as “Most Entrepreneurial Post-Secondary Institution of the Year”, his nomination as a finalist for Industry Champion by KIRA, and his nomination as a finalist for Progress Media’s Innovation in Practice award. Dhirendra was nominated for the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and selected by a panel of judges as a Top 75 finalist. Most recently, he received the Entrepreneur Promotion Award by Startup Canada (2017), as well as the Outstanding Educator Award by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick in 2018. In 2023 Rotary International made him the Paul Harris Fellow. Dhirendra currently serves on the Advisory Board Member of the Lemann Program on Creativity and Entrepreneurship at Harvard University and is also on the board of Specialisterne (an organization helping employers to build neurodiverse teams).